Despite yet another snub from Jake White, Luke Watson soldiers on, this time under the blue and white banner of Western Province.

The openside flanker knows how important this season will be for WP.

“The individuals… the team… the union… everybody has a point to prove in this Currie Cup,” he told keo.co.za. “We need to go out there and not only do it for our fans, but for ourselves as well.”

Watson had a impressive season for the Stormers, but his success was overshadowed by the fact that his team did so woefully in the Super 14.

“The Super 14 was nothing but a disappointment. We didn’t play to our potential and our performance was no reference to the amount of work we put into the campaign. That is the most disappointing thing of all,” Watson said.

Watson is well aware that the team and union cannot afford another flop this season, as a number of management positions are on the line. However well he played in the Super 14, he is looking to improve his own skills in an effort to take WP rugby back to its zenith.

“I believe I can improve in all aspects of my game. I cannot isolate one specific thing,” said Watson. “I had a decent season for the Stormers, and that’s something to build on.”

It’s too early to see where the strengths of WP lie, but Watson is confident about the pack’s prospects as a competitive unit. “We are maturing into a formidable and exciting group of forwards,” he stated.

This talented group includes names like Ross Skeate and Schalk Brits, two other players who many feel deserved a spot in White’s squad.